{HARRISBURG} — The City of Harrisburg hosted a public hearing on Tuesday, June 25 to announce its 2024 Annual Action Plan. The hearing in front of City Council is designed to discuss how Harrisburg will spend federal money for housing, received through various programs by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
This hearing is a critical component of the city’s efforts to administer Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), and Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG), which are managed under the broader Consolidated Plan (ConPlan). The ConPlan, a five-year strategic document, outlines community needs, resources, priorities, and proposed activities. It serves as a guide for annual action plans detailing specific uses for HUD programs and meeting other program requirements.
For 2024, the City of Harrisburg has allocated funds across several key areas. The CDBG program will receive a total of $1,879,530, which includes $15,000 in program income. The HOME program will receive $475,930.94, supplemented by $10,000 in program income. The ESG program is allocated $165,432. These funds are distributed to various projects and initiatives to address the city’s strategic priorities, including improving public facilities and infrastructure, providing public services, removing blight, developing affordable housing, and reducing homelessness.
The city has identified six primary strategic needs: public facilities and infrastructure improvements, public services, blight and demolition, affordable housing development, homelessness and housing services, and Section 108 loan repayment. Specific goals for 2024 include:
- Assisting 25,000 low and moderate-income persons through infrastructure improvements and public services.
- Demolishing four blighted buildings.
- Constructing new rental and homeowner housing units.
- Rehabilitating existing housing.
Additionally, efforts will focus on providing shelter to 500 homeless individuals and prevention services to 15 at-risk persons.
Citizen participation is a vital part of this process. A public comment review period will be open from June 26, 2024, to July 25, 2024, allowing residents to review and provide feedback on the draft Action Plan. The draft plan is accessible on the City’s Bureau of Building and Housing webpage, and comments can be submitted in writing to the DBHD office or via email. The city aims to finalize and submit the plan to HUD by August 16, 2024.
Contact
For more information or to provide comments, citizens can contact the City of Harrisburg’s Department of Building & Housing Development.
The department can be reached by mail at 10 North 2nd Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17101.
The Department of Building and Housing can also be reached by phone through 311 for city residents, and (717) 255-3040.
DBHD is also accessible by email at [email protected].
This engagement ensures that community input is integral to the planning and execution of these vital.
